Exclusive interview with Sec. General Andrew Betson of the Mexican National Army

February 25, 2012

In exclusive sit down with Mexico National, Sec. General of the Mexican Army Andrew Betson and the Army’s Civil Affairs Officer Laura Leavell, the status of the bombing of Acapulco’s Acabay Hotel and Beach Club was discussed.

They have reason to believe it was associated with one of the largest cartels in Mexico, the Sinaloa cartel. Though they are continuing to see if another cartel is involved.

Betson also said fleets were moved to the Yucatan Peninsula to ensure citizens and tourist the army is keeping them safe. Another fleet is in visual range of Acapulco, with a medical ship standing by in case of another bombing or crisis.

Betson said this was able to be completed because of the Merida Initiative, which provides military training, assets and funding to help stop cartels.

“It’s a program that’s indicative and is the epitome of mexican and american coordination and cooperation. And we’d like to ensure our people, our government and the Americans that we are using the benefits of the Merida Initiative, which provide us of military training, asset and funding to go after these cartels and org crime syndicates,” Betson said.

The U.S. Congress has issued more than $1.5 billion dollars to this initiative that began in the Fiscal Year 2008, according to a fact sheet from the U.S. Bureau of Public Affairs.

Betson said the looking into the army by an inspector general was his call, but he knew he would have the full support of the Mexican President. Betson said this would let the public see they were looking at themselves, hopefully bringing faith back to the citizens.

“(The inspector general) is re-affirming my confidence in my staff both by looking at to ensure there is no unknowing or accidental sharing of information, but also to ensure there is no mole within my organization that could jeopardize the safety of the Mexican people,” Betson said.